New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-24
LIGHTNING STROKES IN MANY PLACES

FIRE AND RUIN FOLLOW THE BoLTs-NO FEAR OF
A SUMMER WATER FAMINE.
In the thunderstorm Wednesday night the ouse
of Frank NJ. Hedden GrOve-st East Orange, y. D.,
was struck by two lightning bolts and badly
damaged. The family were seated in the dining-room
when they blinded by flash that seemed TO NIL
the house. moment later there were two loud
reports like the explosion OF cannon and the house
BEGAN to tremble, while the crashing OF breaking
timber and falling bricks was heard The house was
filed with smoke aud SCOT from the chimney.
When the family recovered from their fright they
ran out of the house and found that both chimneys
bad been struck by lightning, and that much damage
,as done to the OF the house. NO one was IN
iured. The first bolt strnck the front chimney and
ran down the roof to the caves, splntering heavy
ioist Some OF the fluid entered the chimney and
forced ont the fire board.
The second bolt, after striking the rear chimney,
ran az TAR as the tin root OF the extension where 1t
was diverted. The weather boarding OF the house
was torn away. large pieces OF board were thrown
About the upper room and holes were made 10 the
plaster The second bolt ran 90 far as the cstcrn,
from the top OF which il thre tue heavy slab.
heavy smoke arose from the cistern Tor some time
aitervard. .
Newark, struck by lightning. Mr. Reeves, VINO
occupies the house, was in the first floor
and saw ball of fire in the centre OF the room. IL
remained stiil for an instant and then exploded like
pistol, filling the with sulphur fumes ana
chipping the plaster from the ceilings NO olher
damage wac done.
Manbanset L. L. was struck by lightning early yes
terday morning and des'roye! by fire. Ten cows and
a numo Der OF farming implements together with iced,
etc. we're also consumed. Mr. Mcneil, who was 10
the barn when the lightning struck 1t. narrowly
ESCAPED death. Tho loss is estimated at $4'oOO,
which 10 covered bt insurance.
The house of W. III. Carpenter ct Orenta, West
chester County, formerly known as Deianceys Mock,
struck and somewhat damaged by lightning on
The steepIe OF st. Panps Methodist Episcopal
Church Stspleton, $. l., struck by lightning on
Wednesday u gbt The lightning came down through
the roof and demolished the chaucel and several pews
The sane shock also struck one OF the buildings at
Father Drum coolies Home for Children 81 Mount
Lorreto s J. The chime, on Castleton House at
West New Brighton and large willow tree IN front
of J. r. Baiey's house were also struck
Lightning shiyered the malnmast OF the schooner
William g. Bartlett, lying at the foot of COnoverst,
Brooklyn, on Wednesday evening. causing loss OF
$500
The recent rainfall in and around New-York city
has been remarkable for the continuous and soaking
manner in which the torrents have desct ndcd. No
rain in the month OF June has approached this
since June 70, 1854, when 420 inches Tell IN
eleven and one-hsf hours.
From the figures recorded in the Central Park OBJ
servatory BY the serecisterng instruments OF Pro
lessor Draper, it appears that Sigh, rain Toll on
Sunday and a heavier one on M)nd1y; the two
amounting 10 eighty-three hundredths OF an inch
On Tuesday there was no rainfall ana the race goers
of Gotham rejoiced nightly and began 10 pick out
winners that not specially mud hortes. On
Wednesday, however, the luck turned and the rain
besan to TALL with quiet PERSISTENCE about y q. m,
and aid not stop i0r any length OF time during the
whole day Yesterday tho clerk OF tho weather
pursued the same tactics and the showers descended
continuously. At $50 p m. when Professor Draper's
assistant seized his umbrella and started homeward
there had fallen from d beginning OF Wednesdays
rain three inches and thirtytwo hundrcdtis. and
there was then no prospect that the supply was ex-
hsusted. This makes the total rainfall ffem Sunday
four inches and fifteen hundredths, most unusual
amOait.
Chief Engineer Birdsall. of the Department Of
Public Works. SAID yesterday that the recent rain had
been a great help TO the city's water supply. The
storage reservoir had been drawn upon for fifteen
days when the rain began. Two DAYS ago the drain
on the reservoirs ceased and yesterday morning the
Crotch River WAS up the lip Of he dam. Undoubt
edly before nightfa the river would be running
over the dam The amount drawn from the reservoirs
would also be made good Unless there Is a very dry
fall Mr. Brdsall thought there need be no apprehen
sion felt over a water famine.
MANY cellar, were flooded in Brooklyn yesterday,by
the heavy rain fall, and some streets were almost
impossible from the floods Of water which were 100
great for the sewers to of. The relief sewers IN
the svcalled flooded district failed to carry away Gil
the water and many complaints were made